GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Austin High vs. Bowie
Several Austin High fans predicted at their scrimmage vs. Brandeis in mid-August that the game against Bowie was going to determine the final playoff spot out of District 26-6A. They were exactly right.
With Westlake, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis all locked into the postseason, the Maroons and Bulldogs will duke it out in what amounts to an elimination game Friday night (11/1) at House Park in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.
Bowie has had more success in recent years. The Bulldogs (2-3, 6-3) have played nine straight weeks, with their Bye coming next week, so it’s “do or die” for the Dawgs. While Westlake and Lake Travis handled them with relative ease, Bowie nearly knocked off Dripping Springs, falling 38-35 on October 11th.
Senior quarterback Cruz Tello (99-163, 1,620 Yds., 18 TDs, 6 INTs) and senior running back Kayson Mathabela (130-680, 5.2 YPC, 11 TDs) power a Bowie offense that’s racked up 33 points per game.
Austin High (2-2, 4-4) also fell to both Westlake and Drip by identical 49-7 scores and will close out the regular season against Lake Travis. (The Maroons could technically lose to Bowie and upset Lake Travis but the Bulldogs would have the tiebreaker.)
Senior running back Bryson Batts (72-603, 8.4 YPC, 7 TDs rushing; 16-323, 20.2 YPC, 3 TDs) keys the Maroons offense with senior quarterback John Latham (56-123, 799 Yds., 6 TD, 9 INT) under center.
Westlake and Lake Travis met last week in the “Battle of the Lakes” and Dripping Springs beat everyone else they had to beat to punch their ticket. That means it’s Austin High vs. Bowie in a clash between two Austin ISD mainstays to see who will move on to the playoffs.
What: Austin High vs. BowieWhen: 7:00 Pregame, 7:30 Kickoff
Where: House Park
Who: David Roy, Paul Longoria, James Scott
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7-30pm-football-austin-high-vs-bowie-2669496638
Listen: 102.7 FM ESPN Austin, https://www.1027espn.com/
Note: While we broadcast for both schools, just the Austin High broadcast will be simulcast on radio as they are the Home Team.
THE RECAP: Bowie takes down the Grizzlies
Bowie is ahead of Westlake in the District 26-6A standings.
Not really, because those teams don’t begin district play until the last weekend in September. But if you’re a Bowie Bulldog fan, it has to be nice to see the Dawgs listed above the Chaps, even if it’s unofficial and even if they’ve only played non-district games to-date.
That’s the case right now as Bowie pulled away from a stubborn Glenn squad 42-21 last Thursday night (9/12) at Burger Stadium to improve to 3-0 in non-district action – tied with Lake Travis – while Westlake fell to Atascocita to drop to 2-1.
Take a screenshot.
The 5A Grizzlies (2-1) hung tough against a probable 6A playoff team in the Bulldogs. Glenn took the lead 14-13 midway through the second quarter and expanded that lead to 21-13 at the half. Eventually, however, Bowie wore down their guests. The Dawgs took a 28-21 lead into the fourth quarter with their defense pitching a second half shutout to earn the win.
Senior running back Kayson Mathabela (26-107, 4 TDs) reached the end zone four times for Bowie while senior quarterback Cruz Tello went 16-23 for 249 yards and two touchdowns through the air and rushed for another 95 yards and a score to pace the Bulldogs offense.
Bowie hosts Converse Judson for their final non-district contest of the season in Friday night’s VYPE/ESPN Austin radio Central Texas Game of the Week on 102.7 FM.